RFPs: Tiny Blue Dot Foundation Perception Box Neuroscience Research Grants

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Tiny Blue Dot Foundation’s Perception Box Research Grants support rigorous neuroscientific research into the neural, psychological, physiological, and social mechanisms that shape human perception and experience. Up to US$900,000 is available per project for research lasting up to three years, with funding focused on testable models, interventions, and transformative approaches that can improve individual, community, and societal well-being. The Perception Box Research Grants are designed to advance scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying the Perception Box concept. The concept refers to mental models that shape and filter human experience. The program seeks empirical and statistically rigorous research examining how these mental models are: The Foundation expects to support up to 10 research projects through this call. Both foundational and applied research are encouraged.

Applicants can request up to:

The Foundation may reduce the requested funding amount if budgetary constraints apply or if the proposed budget is not sufficiently justified. The program supports research investigating how human perception and mental models develop and change.

Eligible research may include:

The research should contribute to a scientifically testable understanding of the Perception Box concept. The Foundation has identified several priority areas for this funding opportunity. Research examining how individuals develop or experience: Projects can investigate mechanisms that influence how people understand their ability to act and make choices. Research may examine relationships between bodily signals, perception, and emotional processes.

Potential areas include:

The program supports research exploring how people construct and maintain their understanding of themselves.

Possible topics include:

Research can also investigate how perception relates to: The Foundation welcomes experimental approaches that can help researchers understand why and how perceptual shifts occur.

Potential approaches include:

Applicants should establish a rigorous research framework for investigating the mechanisms and effects of the proposed approach. Both foundational and applied research proposals are welcome. Foundational projects may focus on understanding the mechanisms through which mental models are created, maintained, or changed. Applied projects may investigate interventions, technologies, or experiences that could produce measurable changes in perception and potentially contribute to improved well-being. The Foundation strongly encourages interdisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations. Projects may bring together researchers from fields such as: Collaborative approaches can help researchers examine the Perception Box from multiple scientific perspectives.

Eligible applicants include recognized:

International organizations can apply provided they meet the program’s requirements and are not listed on the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list.

The Principal Investigator must hold:

Postdoctoral researchers may also apply if their institution will appoint them to an eligible research position if the project receives an award. Proposals must be submitted in English. The proposed research should include a testable model relevant to the Perception Box. Applicants should demonstrate how the model can be investigated through rigorous empirical research rather than presenting only a conceptual or philosophical interpretation. Proposals should include a clear plan for co-design with the target group where applicable.

Applicants should explain:

If co-design is not applicable to the proposed research, applicants should provide a clear justification explaining why. The program specifically seeks empirical and statistically rigorous research.

Applicants should therefore establish:

The proposed research should generate evidence that can improve scientific understanding of perceptual mechanisms and change. Applicants should build their proposal around a clearly testable scientific question related to the Perception Box.

Important preparation areas include:

Applicants should avoid:

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by: They are research grants from the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation supporting rigorous scientific research into the neural, psychological, physiological, and social mechanisms underlying the Perception Box concept. Applicants can request up to US$900,000 per project. Projects can last for up to three years. A maximum of 15% overhead can be included within the total funding request. The Foundation aims to fund up to 10 empirical and statistically rigorous research projects through the call. Priority areas include agency and independence; interoception and emotional regulation; identity and self-narrative; and values, meaning, and belonging. Yes. The program welcomes both foundational and applied research, including interventions, technologies, and transformative experiences. Yes. Interdisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations are strongly encouraged. Yes. Postdoctoral researchers may apply if their institution will appoint them to an eligible research position upon receiving an award. The Principal Investigator must hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree. Yes. Similar eligible organizations worldwide can apply, provided they meet the requirements and are not on the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions list. Proposals should include a plan for co-design with the target group. If co-design is not applicable, the proposal should clearly explain why. Yes. Proposals must be submitted in English. Proposals should include a testable model relevant to the Perception Box and a rigorous empirical approach for evaluating it. The Tiny Blue Dot Foundation’s Perception Box Research Grants provide up to US$900,000 for rigorous research examining how mental models shape and filter human experience. With support for neuroscience, psychology, physiology, socia